§ The Earl of Clancartyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What have been the monthly attendance figures for admission to galleries at the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside in (a) the year prior to the introduction of admission charges on 8 July 1997; and (b) the year following the introduction of admission charges; and what percentage change in total visitor numbers this represents between the two years. [HL2738]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyBefore the extension of charging to all eight sites of the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside in July 1997, admission figures were collected by different methods. Thus the figures for the year prior to the extension of admission charges are not directly comparable with those for the following 12 months. Figures collected before July 1997 are thought to be overstated by about 15 per cent.
78WAThe estimated monthly admission figures are set out in the following tables:
1996–97 (unadjusted) Walker Art Gallery Lady Lever Art Gallery Sudley House All NMGM sites1 July 14,371 7,878 2,708 113,561 August 19,350 8,144 4,357 149,356 September 14,393 5,918 2,423 84,420 October 19,971 5,799 2,580 108,577 November 18,269 3,829 2,209 87,630 December 10,148 2,409 1,951 58,613 January 14,103 3,972 2,214 75,137 February 16,283 5,588 2,118 105,680 March 22,073 6,180 2,586 113,344 April 25,690 5,932 2,387 113,619 May 33,853 7,091 2,970 130,270 June 19,847 6,504 2,517 114,905 Totals 228,352 69,244 31,020 1,255,112
1997–98 Walker Art Gallery Lady Lever Art Gallery Sudley House All NMGM sites1 July 8,970 5,882 1,084 79,798 August 8,719 7,076 1,587 80,164 September 5,267 5,035 787 39,376 October 7,218 5,212 1,018 60,270 November 9,784 4,201 950 46,904 December 5,370 2,410 531 29,050 January 10,286 3,017 1,099 47,070 February 11,458 4,726 1,841 87,839 March 13,217 5,532 1,916 78,589 April 12,025 7,216 1,962 86,409 May 8,597 7,088 2,725 80,488 June 6,259 5,998 1,463 64,786 Total 107,170 63,393 16,963 780,743 1 The Walker Art Gallery, the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Sudley House, the Liverpool Museum, the Maritime Museum, HM Customs and Excise Museum, the Museum of Liverpool Life, and the Conservation Centre.
§ The Earl of Clancartyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside spent on marketing in the years (a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98. [HL2936]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe marketing budget of the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside was £293,000 for 1996–97, and £393,000 for 1997–98.
§ The Earl of Clancartyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 22 July (WA 106), what is the specific evidence for their statement that "the public overwhelmingly regard the pass [for admission to the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside] as excellent value for money"; and whether such evidence includes the views of the broader public who do not presently visit or who have stopped visiting those museums. [HL3045]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside (NMGM) conducted a study among NMGM visitors after the 79WA introduction of the Ei8ht Pass. The findings were 78 per cent. felt that the pass offered "very good" value for money; 87 per cent. of visitors who had purchased a pass found they had "a very enjoyable" visit; and 2 per cent. of the sample turned away on learning of the admission charge.
The research did not extend to members of the public who did not visit NMGM. However NMGM carries out an ongoing programme of public surveys to establish such things as how it can increase the number of visitors.
§ The Earl of Clancartyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside have spent so far on promoting the Ei8ht Pass; and what is the breakdown of these costs according to type of marketing. [HL2937]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside's Ei8ht Pass was introduced in July 1997. In 1997–98 a marketing budget of £100,000 was devoted to the launch of the Ei8ht Pass and was allocated as follows:
£ Television advertisement 39,000 Leaflet 21,000 Poster 2,000 Distribution of leaflet 7,000 Information folder 13,000 Ei8ht Pass ticket 8,000 Press advertising 10,000 Total 100,000